Mechanical cleaver on a spring dimensions drawings. Homemade wood splitter

Cleavers are qualitatively different from an ax - a traditional device for chopping wood. An ax is considered a more universal tool, while a cleaver is capable of performing only one task - chopping wooden blanks into small pieces. Axes are also actively used in jewelry work.

Types of cleavers

Screw electro mechanical wood splitter cleaver

Modern wood processing technologies have gone far in development, as a result of which various “helpers” for woodcutters have appeared:

• A mechanical cleaver is used for industrial purposes where high speed wood processing is required. The mechanism is driven by a special machine and additional weighting (from 100 kg to 1 ton, depending on the model). Often a mechanical apparatus is found in household. And some of them are made by local craftsmen with their own hands. The mechanism is driven by a spring, which is attached to working handle. After the final movement, the spring creates resistance, due to which the counterweight returns to its original position. The device for chopping wood is driven by the mechanical force of the hand.
• Mechanical cleaver with drive. In common people, this type of cleaver is better known as an electric cleaver. The principle of operation is no different from that described above. The only thing that indicates their difference is the electric motor that powers all the equipment. Mechanical devices for splitting firewood are often made by hand in rural areas or at dachas.
• Hydraulic wood splitter. This type of mechanism uses the energy of compressed fluid. The mechanism is based on the principle of a hydraulic press. Most models are equipped with additional blades, due to which the workpiece is split into several parts at once.
• Wood splitter on a screw drive. This type of device operates on a screw drive, that is, its operation is based on converting the rotational movement of a cleaver with an external screw into the translational movement of a nut. This firewood cleaver does its job well. This model is characterized by high productivity and accuracy. Making such equipment with your own hands is almost impossible and even dangerous.

Self-production

Not everyone has the opportunity to purchase an expensive model, so most summer residents and rural residents prefer a homemade firewood splitter. Practice has shown that you can do a lot of things with your own hands. So let's get started.

For manufacturing you will need: drawings of the device, a thick sheet of steel (about 10 mm), welding, a hammer and pliers. A thick sheet of steel is sharpened on both sides at an acute angle sharpening machine. The end result should be a blade with a double-sided sharpening. It is worth noting that working with a sharpening machine takes too much time, so to speed up the work you can use a grinder - cut off unnecessary pieces of steel at an angle. The scrap is ground on a sharpening machine to the required parameters.

On a homemade cleaver, you need to weld two metal pipes on both sides of a small diameter (30 mm is enough). This is done so that the device, made with your own hands, does not get stuck in the chocks. Remember, the more securely the workpieces are secured, the easier it is to remove the firewood splitter from the bars.

The side plates, which are also welded onto the steel plate, are made from a stainless steel sheet 5 mm thick. Both edges are sharpened at an angle of 45 degrees. This is done so that at the moment of impact there is no strong resistance from the side. homemade device. To weld metal plates, you will need an assistant to hold the workpiece with your hands while you work on the weld.

Homemade firewood cleaver

To add additional rigidity to the structure, the plates can be secured with an M8 pin. Do-it-yourself plates are placed on the canvas at an angle of 45 degrees, this is the main requirement. A stiff spring must be put on the inserted pin, which will act as a shock absorber during impact. The spring is secured with nuts of the same size as the stud.

Wood splitter

The firewood splitter is almost ready, all that remains is to weld the eye into which the ax handle will be inserted. As a blank for the eye, you can use a water pipe with a diameter of 40 mm and a length of 80-100 mm. To cut such a thick pipe, you will need the help of a partner - he holds the pipe with his hands while you cut.

The round pipe must be flattened using a hammer. It is necessary to hit the metal pipe until it begins to take on an oval shape. After struggling a little and getting an oval-shaped hole for the ax handle, we weld it to the workpiece.

As for the handle, you can also make it yourself. There are no special requirements for the ax handle, the main thing is that you feel comfortable working with it. A long handle reduces accuracy but increases striking power.

The principle of operation of such a cleaver is quite simple: when the end part hits a wooden surface, the sharpening point penetrates inward. As soon as the blade goes deeper than 20 mm, sharpened side plates are additionally dug into the wood. The deeper the cleaver goes into the wood, the more the side plates move apart, tearing the wood into two pieces. This model is good because it does not require its owner to adapt to the device for a long time. After just a few blows, you will learn to cut a log in one stroke.

Thus, making a cleaver is not a complicated process and does not require a person to have special knowledge or skills in using tools. All that is necessary is to strictly adhere to the drawing and carefully re-read the instructions before doing anything.

Video: Mechanical ax - spring-mounted cleaver

Chopping wood is an extremely tedious process, fraught with danger and taking a lot of time and effort. That is why many people who have to regularly perform this work try to purchase a special wood splitter or even make one themselves. Of course, to assemble a wood splitter with your own hands, you need drawings, photos, and instructions. But in addition, you need to know which model to give preference to.

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What types of wood splitters are there?

So, before answering the question of how to make a wood splitter with your own hands, you need to decide which model is the best solution for a specific user. Today, the three most common options are:

• hydraulic;
• electric;
• manual (inertial).

Now let's look at each of these options in more detail so that the potential user can choose the most suitable mechanism for splitting firewood.

Hydraulic

Perhaps the hydraulic wood splitter is the most popular. The fact is that it is he who has the greatest productivity.

When working with such equipment, you can easily and quickly cut almost any wood, including wet and durable wood.

The main element of this wood splitter is the hydraulic cylinder. A log is placed on it, after which the cylinder, under the pressure of the liquid, pushes the sharpened blade.

Thanks to the significant pressure, the work is completed in a second. High productivity allows you to chop a large amount of firewood in the shortest possible time.

Important! When choosing the material from which the blade will be made on a hand-assembled wood splitter, give preference to the hardest grades of steel so that you do not have to sharpen it often.

Alas, this type of equipment is the most difficult to manufacture. Therefore, to construct a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands, drawings will not be enough - you also need to have considerable experience working with such mechanisms.

Electric wood splitter

More a budget option, which also does not require special forces– observing certain safety precautions, even a ten-year-old child can successfully work with it. The operating principle is similar to hydraulic. However, here the blade does not split the log under the influence of a hydraulic mechanism. Here's the main one acting force is an electric motor.

Thanks to its simpler design, it costs significantly less. And it will be much easier to assemble it yourself (if you have the appropriate components).

Important! When installing an electric log splitter, choose a location on a slight hill and be sure to place a rubber mat under it to avoid shorting if the ground is wet after rain.

However, there are certain limitations. First, you need to have a source of electricity nearby. However, in most dachas and private houses this is not a problem. Second, make sure the wiring can handle the additional load. A wood splitter with a gearbox, either a homemade one or a factory one, is equipped with a fairly powerful engine, and if the wiring is too weak, this can lead to knocked out plugs.

Manual (inertial) wood splitter

The layout of this type of wood splitter is simple, which makes it a certain popularity. No engine is needed for manufacturing, and even a person who is not too accustomed to working with his hands can handle the assembly.

A blade is installed on a long, about one and a half meter, metal pipe. A log is fixed under it, on which a log is placed. After this, the user simply swings the main working part down.

Muscular force combined with inertia easily splits most logs that would be quite difficult to handle manually.

In some cases, the wood splitter is modified. For example, the working part is equipped with a spring at the bottom, the other end of which is fixed near the block.

The user lifts the part with the blade manually, unbending the spring, and then abruptly releases it - under its weight and the tension of the spring, the blade delivers a strong blow, cutting even a problem log with knots.

You can also hang a small weight on the opposite end of the pipe - this will significantly facilitate the lifting process, although it will slightly reduce the impact power.

Finally, additional weight can be placed on the metal pipe in the area of ​​the blade. It will be harder to lift the blade, but the blow will be much stronger.

The advantage of a manual or inertial wood splitter is its simplicity, unpretentiousness and the ability to assemble from improvised means. But there is also a minus. You need to have a certain amount of physical strength to successfully chop enough wood. And this will take much more time than when working with a hydraulic or electrical device.

Which wood splitter to choose

The most common types of wood splitters are described above. They can be made by hand - some are simpler, others more difficult. But having a drawing, anyone can install a homemade wood splitter in their dacha.

It is very important to decide which device will be a good choice for you. After all, manufacturing will take a lot of effort, time, and money. Therefore, the possibility of error should be excluded. Let's start with the hydraulic one. Its main advantage is high performance and ease of operation. But there is also a minus - it is complicated, to create it you will need special equipment

and certain skills that not every person has. Such equipment should be preferred in cases where the user will regularly work with a large amount of firewood.

Finally, a manual wood splitter. As already mentioned, it is simple. Almost everything you need can be found at a ferrous metal collection point, paying no more than a few hundred rubles for the necessary components, and sometimes much less. But to work productively with it, you need to have good physical fitness.

Although it is easier to chop wood with an inertial wood splitter than with a regular cleaver, it is still quite difficult. Therefore, it should be chosen only by people who have remarkable strength, but who are unwilling or unable to work as a cleaver. However, if you need to chop just a few logs into logs, without risking your health (inept handling of an ax often leads to serious danger) and without getting too tired, this solution will be successful.

Classification of wood splitters

In addition to those models that were described earlier, there are others. For example, with a cone-shaped cleaver. A very convenient solution, most often created on the basis of electrical equipment. Using any sufficiently powerful engine (suitable from a pump, motorcycle or even a washing machine), you can easily produce high-quality equipment. The cone rotates at high speed - just bring the log to it and apply light pressure so that it splits along the fibers. There is no need to swing an ax - even an inexperienced user will take a matter of seconds to turn a heavy log into a pile of logs suitable for burning in a stove.

Drawing of a rack-and-pinion wood splitter.

Drawings of a rack-and-pinion wood splitter are also popular - many users want to make one with their own hands. Why is he interesting? In general, it is similar to a conventional hydraulic one. There is only one difference here. If in most wood splitters a blade is driven into a log, then on a rack splitter it’s the opposite - the log splits on the blade. To do this, a blade is installed on a suitable platform (usually made of thick sheet metal). A block of wood is placed in front of it, on which the moving part of the wood splitter presses. In a second, a thick, weighty log splits in half, then into four parts, and so on.

A simple mechanism for chopping firewood from scrap materials

Our people are distinguished by their ingenuity and love for non-standard solutions. Therefore, many craftsmen make a mechanical wood splitter with their own hands. It consists of a frame with a knife attached on one side and a tight spring on the other. A block of wood is placed on the frame (usually not very large so that it can be easily split in one go), after which the spring is tightened.

This is done either manually or using a special gate. Then the spring is suddenly released. She delivers a strong blow to the log, which splits on the knife. The mechanism is simple, but at the same time reliable, effective and does not require much physical strength.

How to make a manual wood splitter with your own hands Let's start from the very beginning simple option

– we’ll tell you how to make a manual wood splitter at home. In fact, it’s not even a wood splitter, but a simple device that simplifies the process of chopping wood and makes it safer.

• To do this you will need:
• a thick metal sheet (7-10 mm thick) measuring 150x600 mm – the future blade;
• metal plate 5 mm thick and 300x300 mm in size - base;

metal rod (the cross-section can be either round or square, but not less than 20 mm) - about 3 meters.

Now let's start assembling. The scheme of a homemade wood splitter is as simple as possible. The thick sheet is cut into pieces: one 150x300 and two 150x150 millimeters. They are sharpened on one side and welded to a metal base in the shape of a cross.

The rod is cut into two parts: 1 and 2 meters. The first is welded to the base from the side, strictly perpendicular. The second is bent into a circle and welded to the first at a height of 30 cm.

That's all, the design is ready. Now insert a log into the ring formed by the rod, resting it against the sharpened cross, and strike from above with a sledgehammer - it will split into four neat parts.

How to make a spring log splitter step by step

• If you want to make a spring cleaver with your own hands, you don’t need drawings - the diagram here is as simple as possible. You only need a few details:
• metal corners;
• two pieces of channel; powerful spring (you can spring from);
• passenger car
• a plate that acts as a knife (you can use an old cleaver);
• hinge joint;
• a piece of pipe whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the spring;

weighting material

1. When you have everything you need, you can start assembling:
2. Using one channel as a base, weld a second one perpendicular to it.
3. Prepare a site for installing the spring.
4. Use a grinder to make a cutout on the beam through which the structure will be attached to the base.
5. Weld the beam.
6. Hang the beam with the hinge unit onto the support.
7. Install the spring.
8. Fix the boulder on the moving beam.
9. Weld the weighting material on top of the boulder.

The structure is ready - you can paint it to protect it from rust.

Carrot wood splitter

This is the popular nickname for a wood splitter that uses a screw to split wood. Here the design is more complicated - to assemble a screw wood splitter with your own hands, you will need drawings, photos, and instructions.

• Before you begin, prepare:
• the engine is quite powerful and provides a rotation speed of 200-250 rpm;
• cone with screw thread with a diameter of 5-6 cm and a length of 20-22 cm;
• two rotation supports;
• chain;

shaft 30 cm long and 3 cm thick.

Drawing of a carrot wood splitter.

1. Problems usually arise when searching for a cone - the easiest way is to order it from turners or buy it in a store; it is not too expensive. Now get started:
2. Install the shaft onto the bearing and weld the flange at the back.
3. Place the cone on the shaft and secure it.
4. Weld the supports to the bearing to secure the structure to the table.
5. Make a spacer between the engine and the shaft - use it to tension the chain.

Place the structure on the table, fix and tension the chain between the flange and the motor.

If you use an electric motor, do not forget to protect the structure from moisture, and if possible, ground it.

How to make a hydraulic wood splitter , The hydraulic wood splitter is the most complex. Typically, the engine is a gasoline engine from a car or motorcycle.

1. It’s worth warning right away - its creation will not be cheap. But the comfort of work and productivity fully compensate for the costs. So, what do you need to assemble a gasoline wood splitter with your own hands? and how much will it cost? – 14 000.
2. Engine 12-14
3. Horse power
4. Hydraulic distributor – 3500.
5. Hydraulic cylinder 100x40x61 – 10500.
6. NSh32 – 1500.
7. Drive NSh – 4000.
8. Hubs from a VAZ 1500 car.
9. Engine pulley – 1000.
10. V-belts – 900.
11. 40 liters of hydraulic oil – 2500.
12. Couplings and high pressure hoses – 2500.
13. Flanges for NSh – 400.
14. Metal plate – 1000.
15. Metal profile – 4000.
16. Fastening material – 700.
17. Engine oil - 400.
18. Rubber hose and clamps – 300.
19. Paint – 600.
20. 2 kg of electrodes f4mm and 5 kg f3mm – 1000.

In total, you will have to pay about 51 thousand rubles, and maybe more. If you have purchased all the necessary elements, you can get to work.

Assembling the frame

Assembly takes place in the following way:

1. Weld a 30x30 mm corner - a hub - to a 50 mm pipe. You should get two triangles.
2. On the front axle, made from a 60x60 mm corner, weld spacers from a 30x30 mm corner.
3. Attach the wheels to the axle.
4. Weld a base onto the rear axle on which you will place the engine.
5. Weld a strong channel frame.
6. Assemble a movable structure from 80 mm channel.
7. Weld a triangular platform from a channel that pushes the log onto the knife.
8. To prevent the log from falling, secure stops on both sides of the platform.

How to make a splitting knife

A good cleaver is the basis for a comfortable and safe work. A piece of Kamaz spring will do. Fortunately, its manufacture is a relatively simple procedure - to make a firewood splitter with your own hands, you don’t need drawings. But you can’t do without tools - you’ll need a sharpening machine.

Sharpen the metal - the angle should be 60-70 degrees. Weld the knife onto the bed.

How to assemble the motor and oil tank

You can use an empty propane tank as an oil tank. The work is as follows:

1. Fill the balloon with water.
2. Without pouring out the water, cut off the valve using a grinder.
3. Create a sump - separate a quarter of the volume of the cylinder by installing a steel partition at least 10 cm high.
4. Install a filter mesh equipped with a magnet 5 cm from the bottom. The filter will retain chips, increasing engine life.
5. Weld the pipe - oil will flow through it into the pump. The fence should not reach the very bottom so that the pump does not suck up debris.
6. Place the tank just above the pump using a level

How to make a wood splitter mobile

Do you want to be able to easily and quickly move a homemade wood splitter, made by yourself, that weighs a hundredweight or even more?

Equip it with small wheels, for example, from a garden wheelbarrow.

The most careful users also install brakes on the wheels.

But you can use several bricks to keep the structure securely in place.

What is the difference between a homemade wood splitter and a factory model?

The main difference is the cost. Even if you decide to make a hydraulic wood splitter, for the components for which you will pay about 50 thousand rubles, you will still save a lot. After all, the cost of a factory one starts at 100 thousand. There is no need to talk about screw or manual ones - they will cost several hundred or thousand rubles, because everything you need is available in many farms or can be purchased quite inexpensively.

Now you have a good understanding of the types of wood splitters and can easily make the right one.

Updated:

2016-09-10

Do-it-yourself wood splitters are used, as a rule, by residents of villages and towns who heat their homes using wood blanks. Purchasing a professional installation is very expensive and beyond the means of an ordinary villager. In addition, such machines are mainly used in large enterprises. However, if you wish, it is not difficult to build a wood splitter with your own hands; its mechanism is simple and extremely useful in country farming.

The device for splitting firewood is divided into mechanical and hydraulic modification. Depending on the supply of logs to the installation, classification by orientation can be horizontal, vertical or mixed.

A homemade wood splitter is also classified by its power source. These can be models with electric or gasoline engines, or single-shaft ones with tractor traction. All these devices for splitting firewood differ from each other in the specific installation and individuality in terms of the operating principle.

However, all wood splitters have common positive qualities:

1. Minimizing forces when chopping wood.
2. Speed ​​and efficiency in work.
3. Optimization of physical effort: a person does not need to constantly bend over during the chopping process.
4. Instantly ready for use: you just need to connect the device.
5. Endurance during operation of the unit: it has the ability to continuously chop wood for a long period.
6. Versatility: even a person without any special advantages in physical strength can chop wood with a log splitter.

The disadvantages include the inflated price when buying a ready-made wood splitter, as well as the complexity of the mechanism if you make a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands.

Simple DIY wood splitter

The easiest system for self-manufacturing devices for splitting firewood is cone splitters. They are based on a steel cone with a thread, which is driven into rotation using an electric motor. The difficulty in creating such a wood splitter can only be created by the cone, since it will need to be turned on a lathe.

Before you make a wood splitter with your own hands, you need to purchase the following tools and materials:

• power unit - electric motor or gasoline engine;
• gearbox;
• bearings;
• bed (preferably metal);
• working cone - gimlet.

All these tools and materials for the wood splitter are selected individually; there is no specific scheme. In this case, the device for splitting firewood will accurately meet all conditions and provide the required working performance.

A homemade wood splitter, which is based on a threaded cone, is turned on a lathe, then a spiral thread is made on it using a grinder. Next, the cone is placed on a shaft with bearings, where it is fixed with a pin for further removal from the shaft and replacement of the gimlet.

When chopping wood, the cone can get stuck in the log, so the ability to remove it from the shaft is necessary.

Next, a gearbox or spacer made of pipes and nuts is mounted between the engine and the shaft. The gearbox is necessary in order to increase torque, reduce speed, and also provide stable air pressure before each blow. The spacer made of pipes and nuts is designed to tension the chain.

The homemade wood splitter is ready, you just need to turn on the mechanism and set the cone in motion. When it starts to rotate, a log is aimed at it using a stop. Thus, the working cone, screwing into the wood, will split it in half.

DIY hydraulic wood splitter

For processing large quantity To use logs for firewood, it is recommended to make or buy a hydraulic model of a wood splitter. In such a device, the main power component is a cylinder, the rod of which extends under the influence of fluid pressure inside. For this purpose, the design includes a pump and an electric motor.

To make a wood splitter with your own hands, it would be logically correct to use drawings with diagrams. The hydraulic splitter can be made on a rod or in a stop structure. This device is static, which increases the strength of the entire structure.

The lightest model is assembled as follows: a car jack is mounted at the bottom of the vertical frame on the platform. Then, instead of the cutting element, the knife, a conical wedge is installed. Top part The frame is detachable for easy adjustment to the size and length of the log being split. The wedge is brought to the firewood using a central screw, then the jack enters the splitting process. However, a do-it-yourself hydraulic wood splitter mounted on a fixed frame requires some knowledge and skill, so it is not recommended to make such a device without experience.

When choosing a specific modification, you need to take into account the following characteristics of the wood splitter:

1. The splitting force depends on the dimensions of the cylinder and the power of the electric motor. It ranges from 4-10 tons.
2. The maximum workpiece size is 0.5-2.0 m.
3. The location of the wood is vertical or lying.
4. Motor power, depending on the type of engine, ranges from 1.2-2 kW.

A hydraulic wood splitter has a large throughput, which is why it is often used for commercial purposes. However, it can also be installed at home; such a device facilitates convenient and high-quality splitting of firewood for heating a house, bathhouse and other household items. By building it yourself, you can save a considerable amount, but it is important to take into account the maximum diameter of the workpiece and the speed of its processing.

A source of heat such as wood (firewood) has been known to mankind since ancient times, and although gas heating is now used almost everywhere, firewood remains relevant and in demand for a large number of the population to this day. However, preparing firewood for the winter as a heat source is a labor-intensive task, because you not only need to deliver the wood, but also process it. Over time, human thought has improved this process - folk craftsmen have come up with such a convenient device as a mechanical wood splitter.

Design and operating principle

More firewood long time will not lose their relevance, remaining a convenient, economical and environmentally friendly type of fuel. There are several reasons for this:

• in the outback, in many houses to this day there is no alternative to stove heating;
• saunas and bathhouses, when offering their services to attract customers, almost always indicate that they use firewood to produce heat, and it is environmentally friendly and of a certain type;
• no picnic would be complete without a good old fire - both for cooking and for creating warmth and a cozy atmosphere.

Initially, to facilitate the process of splitting firewood, various types were used hand cleavers and wedges. But during operation, such primitive devices proved to be ineffective, since they were traumatic, and often simply got stuck in the log. Therefore, they were replaced by a wood splitter. This simple mechanism saves not only energy, but also a lot of time. But the craftsmen did not stop there either, deciding to completely minimize the effort and time spent on the process of collecting firewood, improving the technology of wood splitters. This is how mechanical wood splitters appeared.

This idea was picked up by numerous industrial enterprises, but such mechanisms are not cheap, so the answer to the question - how to make a mechanical wood splitter with your own hands - remains very relevant.

Depending on the type of design, the wood splitter consists of a simple support-arm to increase the applied force or a number of side mechanisms that serve to facilitate the process of collecting firewood. Side mechanisms include the shoulder to which the cleaver is attached, and the frame - the bed on which the cleaver is supported. In general, a complex of such simple devices forms a mechanism that can facilitate the work of collecting firewood.

Pros and cons of homemade models

Let's look at some of the most successful models mechanical wood splitters that are easy to manufacture, easy to use, safe and can simplify the process of processing wood into firewood as much as possible. Mechanical wood splitters are divided into several types. Let's look at their positive aspects and disadvantages.

Mechanized wood splitter

A simple version of a homemade wood splitter with a simple drive, which is the easiest to make, since it does not require large financial outlays. Even if the necessary parts are not available, acquiring them will not be particularly difficult. However, such a device will bring the greatest benefit only if the need for firewood is minimal. The disadvantages of such a wood splitter are the long handle on which the cutter is attached, and considerable effort. But even such a primitive mechanical wood splitter can significantly facilitate the work of preparing firewood.

Spring pressure wood splitter

A pressure or spring wood splitter implies certain costs for materials for manufacturing, but will significantly reduce the load on the worker’s muscles. The mechanics remain the same, but a spring shelf is added to the strut. The spring should not deform during compression and have a certain elasticity (Fig. 2). The height of the frame of such a wood splitter is usually 65-80 cm. The design is simple, takes up little space, but has its drawbacks:

• such a wood splitter requires complex work with an impact tool, which increases the risk of injury;
• it makes it much easier, but does not reduce the effort when preparing firewood to a minimum.

Vertical inertial wood splitter

Another simple version of a mechanical wood splitter. The advantages of such a wood splitter are ease of manufacture and low cost of material. This wood splitter will also make working with soft wood much easier. There are few disadvantages to such a wood splitter - it is useless for working with sticky varieties of wood, since the cleaver will get stuck in the log and getting it out, given the small size of the wood splitter, will be problematic.

Electromechanical wood splitter

In order to make your work as easy as possible in the process of turning wood into solid fuel By using a mechanical wood splitter, it is possible to install an electric drive on it, as shown in the photo (Fig. 4). However, the manufacture of such a wood splitter requires certain costs, knowledge in electromechanics, the ability to read drawings and the use of electric welding.

Tools and materials

To make your own mechanical wood splitter, you will need:

• pipe;
• metallic profile;
• ax or cleaver.

To make a vertical inertial wood splitter you will need:

• two metal pipes of different diameters;
• a heavy piece of metal in the shape of a plate for the base;
• directly the executive tool - the cutter.

In order to collect the most efficient look- electromechanical wood splitter - at home, you will need to make a cone.

It is made from the ST-45 cylinder. Length – 14.5 cm, diameter – 55 mm. Tilt angle 30 degrees. Then, on a lathe, a thread 2 mm deep (7 mm pitch) is applied to the resulting part. The manufactured part is placed on the motor shaft or gearbox axis and secured with a pin. On the other side of the shaft, a bearing is mounted on the axle, and a sprocket for the chain or a pulley for the belt is attached. The cone is located at a height of 10-15 cm from the surface of the frame-bed.

• Materials for production:
• cylinder ST – 45;
• electric motor;
• metal for assembling the frame;
• starting device;
• thin sheet steel for the manufacture of protective covers.

Pros: minimum effort in the preparation process. Cons - it will be expensive to assemble such a wood splitter at home. You need to spend money not only on purchasing the necessary materials, but also on the services of turners, electricians and welders.

How to do it?

The easiest way is to make a mechanized wood splitter (Scheme 1). Assembly is very simple: the cutting part is attached to a vertical rod with a base made of any profiled metal, but leaving the possibility of free movement of the rod. The movement unit may consist of two welded ears with holes on the stand and a metal pin that serves as a shaft for turning the fastener and the cleaver.

A pressure or spring wood splitter will require a little more effort to manufacture. A shelf is welded between the frame and the horizontal movable arm with the cutter, onto which a spring is installed and fastened; the second end of the spring is attached to the horizontal arm of the wood splitter, absorbing impacts on the cutter (cleaver). Taking into account the fact that the executive part of the wood splitter becomes heavier, the blow to the splitting deck is made with a minimum of effort (Fig. 2). However, some effort is still required, as the spring will cause kickback. At this point, attention should be paid to the spring used in the device so that the cleaver remains effective upon impact, can easily split wood, and at the same time it would be easier to hold the shoulder of the structure during recoil.

Assembling a vertical inertial wood splitter is very simple. First you need to weld the first pipe to the base plate. The length of such a pipe is a little more than a meter (Fig. 3). Then from a tube of larger diameter it is necessary to cut a piece that will be longer than the length of the cleaver. Then you need to weld the cleaver to a piece of a larger diameter tube and put it on the base tube. The principle of operation is extremely simple - place a log on the base under the cleaver and hit it on top with another log or sledgehammer.

An electromechanical wood splitter will require costs for the engine itself, metal for making the frame, gearbox, cone (executive part), components and consumables. A drawing of the executive part (cone) is shown below (Fig. 5).

An engine is installed on the frame, it is connected to a gearbox, which transmits movement to the cone directly or through a belt drive. In order to power such an electric motor, certain skills will be required, since special parameters and requirements for the engine are taken into account. The motor power should not be less than 2 kW, and the number of revolutions, as a rule, from 250 to 500. Such a motor can be connected directly to the cone.

It doesn’t matter if you couldn’t find a suitable engine. In this case, you need to purchase a gearbox - increasing or decreasing the number of revolutions depending on the number of engine revolutions. Therefore, an engine with a speed of 250 to 500 can be installed directly with a cone, and an engine using a gearbox is better placed at the bottom of the frame and the movement is transmitted by belts.

Safety instructions

When working with mechanical devices of any type, there is always a risk of injury. When using homemade wood splitters, this risk often increases rather than decreases. Always and under any conditions, do not forget about safety precautions. When using a mechanical log splitter:

• in order to protect yourself as much as possible from all kinds of injuries, sawdust or chips getting into your eyes, you need to work in protective clothing, shoes, glasses and a hard hat;
• wood involved in processing must be firmly installed and secured in gutters or special recesses;
• Do not work in poor visibility conditions or on slippery surfaces;
• all elements of a mechanical wood splitter must be firmly welded and secured to each other;
• the cleaver or cutter should not have chips or cracks;
• You should not collect firewood in close proximity to other people;
• It is important to carefully monitor the condition of the tool used.

For the owner of a country or private house, an indispensable device is a cleaver. It can be mechanical or manual. You can purchase a similar device in a store, but mechanical devices are expensive, so not everyone can afford it, although they can significantly facilitate the process of collecting firewood.

Before making such an expensive purchase, you need to think about the fact that such designs are not complicated, so you can make them yourself. But first, decide whether the cleaver will be mechanical, or whether it is better to supplement it with a motor. In the latter case, you will have to look for spare parts somewhere, and also use the services of a turner. It’s good if you have such skills yourself.

Types of devices for chopping wood: an ax with an offset center

On sale today you can find a splitting ax with an offset center. For the Vipukirves Leveraxe model you will have to pay 16,000 rubles. Using the tool, you can chop a large amount of firewood in a short time. This possibility is ensured thanks to the curved foot located in the upper part of the blade. It clings to the remaining elements of the log and forms a lever. As a result, the tool does not slip after an impact, and your feet remain safe. The design assumes a free grip of the ax.

The ax handle is made of Finnish birch, which is capable of absorbing shock impulses. In winter, the handle will not freeze, it will not slip in your hands even in rainy weather. Due to the unique design of such an ax, the blade does not get stuck in the wood, because the shifted center of gravity instantly moves the ax to the side, so a section of the log breaks off with one blow. The thickness of the blade is 8 cm and the weight is 3 kg. The material used is steel, and when folded, the dimensions of the instrument are 91 x 23 x 9 cm.

What to consider before production

Before performing the cleaver, it is important to think about the fact that you will have to swing it not just a few, but a lot of times. It follows from this that the weight of the instrument must be appropriate to the physical form of the person. For example, you can find cleavers on sale whose weight varies from 2 to 5 kg. However, using a light tool, it will be possible to split only small logs, so you also need to take into account the size of the firewood.

The handle of the tool, which is called an axe, must be made of wood such as elm or maple, in extreme cases it can be birch. After all, inaccurate and strong blows will render the instrument unusable. It is also important to take into account the length of the ax - it should not be too short. If you decide to make a cleaver with your own hands, then it will be more convenient to have two tools. One of them should be a powerful ax with a long handle, while the other should be a wedge-shaped classic cleaver. The latter is suitable for freshly chopped wood with high humidity, while the other will cope with dry logs. Different types of wood will behave differently. And if you have two cleavers on hand, you will be able to find an approach to them.

Before making a splitting ax with your own hands, you should choose a suitable design. Homemade tools They can be hydraulic or screw, the latter are also called conical. The most common are homemade screw or factory-made options. The main part is a cone with a large thread, which is driven by an electric motor. The master will only need to move the deck towards the cone, as the latter will begin to screw into it.

The cone splitter has the appropriate shape, from which the wood splits into 2 parts. If we are talking about hydraulic splitting axes, then they will have higher productivity compared to those described above, but they are more difficult to manufacture. The principle of operation will remain the same as that of Wood will be pressed through a special form, which splits the element into logs of the required size. The machine mechanisms are a hydraulic drive that operates from a gasoline or electric engine. A cone splitter will be more convenient compared to a conventional axe. It is easy to make such tools, but ready-made kits for assembling such devices can be found on sale.

Making a screw cleaver

If you are thinking about how to do it, then first you should prepare the following materials and details:

• cylinder ST – 45;
• pulleys;
• drive belt;
• sheet metal:
• engine mounting plate;
• shaft with bearings;
• working cone;
• profile pipes;
• metal corners.

When choosing an electric motor, you need to pay attention to one that has a power of 2 kW. Sheet metal must have a thickness of 3 mm.

It will be possible to make a homemade one much easier if you can find a low-speed, powerful electric motor that will be capable of delivering 500 rpm. In this case, it will not be required, and the cone can be put on its shaft.

The engine speed, in principle, can be any, but the belt drive pulleys must be calculated in such a way that the speed is equal to 500 rpm. On the market you can buy a ready-made shaft with bearings for an electric cleaver, but pulleys and a threaded cone can be made by turning to a turner.

Work methodology

If you decide to make a cleaver with your own hands, then the material for the cone will be carbon steel; it is better to use the St45 grade. When preparing the thread, it is necessary to take into account that it must consist of two starts. The pitch is 7 mm, while the height of the turns is 2 mm.

Pulleys can be machined from ordinary St3 steel, and the dimensions of the grooves will depend on the selected belt. Instead of a belt drive, specialists use a chain drive. This is more reliable, but more difficult to manufacture. It is important to choose the size of the stars, which is not very convenient. In order to assemble a cleaver with your own hands, you need to weld the frame by installing a plate for mounting the motor under the tabletop. There should be a shaft with bearings on it. A pulley and a cone are fixed to it. Next, the master will have to put on and tighten the belt. Connecting the motor to the network is carried out at the next stage, then you can proceed to testing.

Making a hydraulic splitter

The hydraulic splitter has a design that differs from the previous one. The special features are the drive and the working part, which is used to split the material. The frame has a different shape, although it is welded from corners, pipes and sheet metal. The pressing cleaver works due to the pressure in it provided by an oil pump. This element must be installed on the same shaft with an electric motor, while the unit can be located separately from the frame, but it must be connected to the cylinder using hoses.

Nuances of the work

If you decide to make a hydraulic splitter, then first you should find all the parts and take care of making the mold. It is made of metal, and the base is a cruciform shape. Its sizes can be selected individually, because there are no clear restrictions. The main condition for this is that the power of the cylinder is sufficient to split firewood when its size is too large.

The form must be fixed on the frame, its transverse axis must coincide with the shaft of the hydraulic cylinder. It is installed along the frame and connected to the pump, using the pipes. Such a mechanical cleaver can be mobile; for this, wheels should be attached to the frame.

Harvesting firewood requires considerable effort: it needs to be sawed, split, and stacked to dry. Most of the effort goes into chopping wood. A wood splitter can make the process easier and faster. They are presented in sufficient quantities, but cost a lot of money. At the same time, you can make a simple wood splitter with your own hands from scrap metal - pipes, corners, etc. Everything will require literally several thousand - if there is no metal, you will have to buy it.

Mechanical wood splitters

If the volumes of firewood harvested are small, a mechanical wood splitter can easily handle them. They are distinguished by their simplicity of design, a minimum number of complex components, and also by the fact that the costs are minimal, even if the farm does not have suitable hardware.

Simple DIY wood splitter: mechanics

The simplest mechanical wood splitter resembles a well crane. The design is one to one, only instead of a bucket a cutter and handles are attached. The connection between the rack(s) and the crossbar can be made as simple as possible - hinged. All you need is good lubrication.

The principle of operation is probably clear to everyone. The block of wood is placed on a stand, the lever is sharply pulled down, due to the force of inertia, the cutter gains significant force and splits the block of wood. The process is repeated until logs of the required thickness are obtained.

It’s easy to assemble such a mechanical wood splitter with your own hands, literally, from what you have - pipes, a corner of any size, you can even use an ax as a cutter. In addition, such a design can be made collapsible so that it can be moved.

There are many disadvantages. Chopping wood requires a lot of effort. Moreover, more effort is put into stopping the progress of the cleaver after the log has fallen apart. The second disadvantage is that such a wood splitter takes up a significant area, because the longer the lever, the less effort you need to put in. However, even such a primitive mechanical device greatly reduces the complexity of the process.

One option is for the cleaver to be welded to square pipe, filled with concrete

In this design, the cleaver must be heavy. Therefore, the blade itself is welded to an all-metal blank. A more affordable option is to weld it to a pipe (round or square) and fill it with concrete. Agree, anyone who knows how to handle wood can make such a wood splitter with their own hands.

Spring log splitter

There is a modified design of a manual mechanical wood splitter, which, with a smaller size, chops wood better and requires less effort. In this model, the main working unit is a spring, which is fixed to the frame, and its upper part rests against a stationary crossbar on which the cleaver is fixed.

In this design, the main force - to hold the cleaver after the log has split - is taken over by the spring. Accordingly, the main thing is to select a spring and a stop so that minimal effort is applied, but it is sufficient to split even complex, knotty logs. The spring support can be made movable. Then you can adjust the parameters to specific conditions. In reality, “reconfiguration” is required for a specific person. If one person will work with the tool, then you can do everything stationary, selecting the height experimentally.

It is equally important to make a movable joint between the frame and the lever on which the cleaver is attached. The best option- bearings. They must be of high quality, preferably self-leveling.

The minimum height of a homemade wood splitter is about 800 mm. But then you will either have to work bending over, or install the machine on a table/bed. A more comfortable option that requires minimal effort is made to suit your height. Determine at what height it is convenient for you to have the log standing, add the height of the log itself to this figure, and get the height of the bed. In this case, you will also have to bend over, but only when you place the block on the stand, and not every time the cleaver is lowered.

You can work with one hand or come up with a clamp for installing logs (more secure) Movable joint assembly and spring attachment - several options

To add mobility structures, a frame is welded, with wheels attached on one side and stops welded on the other. Making such a wood splitter with your own hands is somewhat more difficult, but if there is a spring and bearings, this is such a difficult task.

Vertical inertial wood splitter

Another simple option for DIY. To make such a wood splitter with your own hands, you need two pipes of a larger and smaller diameter. You will also need a heavy plate - the base, and, in fact, the piercing part - the cutter/cleaver.

The design is one of the simplest, requiring little effort. A thick-walled pipe, or better yet, a pin, is fixed to a massive platform. Height - about a meter. This is the lead pipe. A cleaver moves freely along it, which is welded to the rings of a pipe with a slightly larger diameter than the leading pipe. He chops wood in the following way: lift the cleaver up and release it. You can accelerate down a little. Due to gravity, the log splits.

A heavy cleaver is the key to success in this model

But this mechanical wood splitter does not immediately split all the logs. To increase its effectiveness, you can add a weight to the cleaver. It can be “added” if necessary. The second option is to hit the column a couple of times with a hammer. This method is good if the cutter is stuck in the wood. An alternative is to lift the block up together and lower it sharply. But it's easier to swing a hammer.

Electric wood splitters

A manual wood splitter, of course, makes it easier to prepare firewood, but it still requires considerable physical effort. Not as much as they are spent waving a regular cleaver, but still... The electric motor helps make the effort even less. Wood splitters are made on its basis various designs. But making such a wood splitter with your own hands is more difficult. Here the device is more complex, and at least minimal electrical knowledge is required, preferably.

Screw (conical)

One of the most common models is a cone or screw splitter. The only difference between them is the absence/presence of threads on the piercing element, which in this model is made in the form of a cone.

The logs split due to the fact that a cone rotated by a motor cuts into the wood, gradually tearing it into pieces. For large logs, first the edges are chipped off, then the middle is torn.

Taper and thread parameters

First, the cutting part was machined into a smooth cone. If you use a smooth cone, when working you have to lean quite hard on the block so that the cylinder “bites” into the wood. Much easier the process is underway, if there is a thread cut on its surface. In this case, the block seems to be screwed onto a screw, and then splits.

The main thing is to make the cone with thread correctly. If you have a lathe and work experience, you can try to do it yourself. If not, you'll have to order it. The threads are made in different ways, but the following parameters are considered optimal: pitch 7 mm, depth 3 mm (minimum 2 mm). More important point- the depth of the seat on the motor gearbox is at least 70 mm.

If you have a cone with a thread, making this wood splitter with your own hands will not be difficult.

Electric motor and gearbox

You need an electric motor that is powerful enough (2 kW and above, or 5-9 l/s), but with a low rotation speed: 250-600 rpm. At 250 rpm and below it chops very slowly, and if the rpm is more than 500, it is dangerous to work, as it can tear the log out of your hands.

If you manage to find an engine with such parameters, you can attach the made lance (screw) directly to the crankshaft (pictured above). If there are more revolutions, you need to install a reduction gear or make a chain or belt drive to reduce the rotation speed.

The ratio is calculated depending on the engine speed. For example, there is a 900 rpm engine. By making a 1:2 gearbox we get 450 rpm. Just the best option.

Transmissions can be belt or chain. Chain ones work many times louder, require constant brushing, and it usually costs more to grind sprockets with the required parameters. A double belt drive is desirable (as in the photo above). In this case, there will be less slippage.

The chain drive is noisier, but more reliable. “Extension” for the screw - so that working space was away from the engine or belts/chains

Where to place the motor

If the design includes a gear, it is better to place the motor at the bottom and secure the screw itself on the working surface. Choose the height of the working surface to suit your height so that you don’t have to work at an angle.

A safer model. Making such a wood splitter with your own hands will make your life much easier

There is also such a parameter as the height of the screw above the working surface. The gap from the table to the cylinder should be around 8-20 cm. It should not be placed higher - it may turn small diameter logs. Optimal distance- 8-12 cm. Even small-sized logs do not turn.

Hydraulic wood splitter

A hydraulic wood splitter is the most powerful, but also the most complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition to the frame, engine and cutting knives, you need a hydraulic cylinder of sufficient power. They are not cheap. In addition, you also need an oil tank and a pump.

A hydraulic firewood splitter develops considerable forces, which is why metal of considerable thickness is used in its manufacture - 6-10 mm, depending on the drive power. The developed force is quite enough to break the log into 6-8 logs at a time. That’s why knives are made in the shape of a “star”.

When making knives, they are spaced several centimeters apart from each other. So that there is only one at work. For example, first - horizontal, then - vertical, then - right and finally - left. At the same time, strengthen each of the knives by welding reinforcing plates at the back. It is advisable to use hard steel, having previously sharpened it according to the same principle as for cleavers.

Video on the topic

In the old days, people used firewood, which they cut by hand, to heat their homes. The main tool for this was a special ax - a cleaver. Today, a large number of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic human assistants have appeared, with the help of which you can special effort cope with the preparation of firewood for the winter. The devices have different types, but the principle of their operation is the same - they immediately split the log into several parts. But not every private home owner can afford to buy such a device. However for home use The simplest models of cleavers can be made with your own hands.

All wood splitters can be divided into two types:

In turn, wood splitters for home use differ in the principle of operation and the type of their power source.

Manual device - cleaver

A woodcutter's tool is designed for chopping wood. For a cleaver to serve for a long time, it must be forged and well-hardened.

The best and comfortable handle instrument - wooden. A cleaver equipped with metal and plastic handle work is more difficult. With an incorrectly directed blow, such a handle may even burst.

Cleaver weight and handle length must be selected individually. Since the device will have to be waved many times, it must be chosen in such a way that you can hold it confidently.

As "workplace", where firewood will be chopped using a cleaver, it is recommended to choose the widest and largest deck. It needs to be placed on a level place, around which there should be nothing that could be touched when swinging the wood splitter. And, of course, when cutting wood it is imperative to follow safety precautions.

Such devices are similar to machines on which a block of wood is fixed.

The fairly large mass of the cleavers is driven by levers, which greatly facilitates the process of splitting logs. The load on the woodcutter is reduced due to the spring mechanism, which facilitates control and compensates for the severity of the blow.

With the help of such devices it is most often possible splitting logs of various lengths. To do this, you need to adjust the position of the spring by changing the distance from it to the working body.

Having fixed the log, with one hand you need to lift the wood splitter up and lower it onto the log. The cleaver will cut the prepared workpiece, and the spring will return the mechanism to its original position. The effort required during such work is very small, therefore, productivity increases.

Devices can have different types and principles of operation. Some people divide the log into only two parts at first, and some into several at once. In households you can find factory-made mechanical cleavers and their hand-made analogues.

Hydraulic cleaver

This device for chopping wood is designed according to the principle of the previous one, however, the force in it is created by a hydraulic jack. The principle of its operation is the pressure pumped through the liquid, which is transmitted to the working piston that exerts pressure on the log. The mechanism of operation of such a device can be seen more clearly in the video clip.

Hydraulic splitter design:

The bed in this design must be made of a sufficiently thick steel channel.

Hydraulic wood splitters can be of different configurations and different power. Their selection in stores is quite large.

DIY electric wood splitter. Video

In the video clip you can see how you can easily chop wood without an axe. This is done using a cone, which is screwed into the log and splits it. The simplest model of such an electric splitter is quite easy to make with your own hands.

The most difficult thing is to make a cone in such a device. According to the drawing, which can be found on the Internet, it must be turned on a lathe. In addition, you need to cut a left-hand thrust thread on the cone.

With absence lathe Can use a metal grinder, placing it on the pulley of the electric motor. After the grinder begins to rotate freely, metal should be removed equally from all sides.

In addition to the cone, for the design you will also need:

• drive shaft block;
• Electrical engine;
• metal sheets and corners.

Having made a cone with your own hands, you can start assembling the structure:

The cone splitter is ready. During its manufacture it is necessary Consider some recommendations:

• the chain or belt drive must be equipped with a protective cover;
• for greater performance of the design, the nozzle must rotate at a speed of 250 rpm;
• Do not connect the nozzle to the engine directly, as this is dangerous due to the high number of revolutions;
• It is better to entrust all electrical work to a specialist.

In addition, do not forget that when working with an electric wood splitter, you should follow safety precautions. Injury can be guaranteed even with one wrong move.

With mechanical, hydraulic or electric cleaver you don’t have to worry about preparing firewood for the winter. With its help this will be done quite easily. And if you also construct a device for chopping wood with your own hands, then you can save a lot of money in the family budget.

For some, chopping wood is an old Russian pastime. And in many regions of vast Russia, this is a way to survive and not freeze in winter. And in more civilized regions, there are stoves and fireplaces at the dacha. By buying ready-made firewood, you save time, but not money.

To make this troublesome task easier, Russian “left-handers” began to make a wood splitter with their own hands. Such devices are also sold in stores, but 90% of residents of rural areas with stove heating use homemade devices.

Types of devices for splitting logs

The principle of operation is that a pusher, driven by a hydraulic drive, feeds the log to the wedge system. A compressor is required to operate. It can be electric or internal combustion. The design is efficient and quite reliable, since there are few mechanical parts. Only the hydraulics themselves need maintenance.

Making it yourself is quite problematic, unless you manage to get a hydraulic drive from decommissioned agricultural machinery.

The video shows an example of how a homemade wood splitter works. As you can see from the video, there is nothing super complicated in its design. The main hydraulic cylinder from the auger of a combine harvester has a rod stroke of 50 cm.

The pusher is driven by a rack-and-pinion pair; the mechanism is clear from the illustration. The drive can be electric or gasoline. The torque from the electric motor shaft is multiplied many times over using a gearbox.

Using a lever, the rack is pressed against the rotating traction gear, pushing the pusher onto the log. The spring then returns the mechanism to its original position. This type of wood splitter is not as powerful as a hydraulic one.

However for home use it fits quite well. The cost of the device is quite affordable. Disadvantage - the working gear wears out quickly and the pair requires replacement.
You can make such a device yourself.

This video shows a homemade rack and pinion wood splitter with a belt drive. Nothing fancy, a simple and effective design with productivity that is higher than that of a hydraulic wood splitter.

Screw (cone) wood splitter

The most popular design of this device. Available in different sizes and price categories. The operating principle is simple - the log is fed onto a rotating cone made in the form of an Archimedean gimlet.

The cone is screwed into the workpiece and, thanks to its wedge-shaped shape, splits it. The simplicity of the design allows you to make such devices yourself.

IMPORTANT! The rotation speed of the shaft with the gimlet should not exceed 500 rpm. Otherwise, the device becomes hazardous.

Many DIYers neglect the gearbox and place the cone directly on the electric motor shaft. In this design, you have to add a device to hold the log, or place it vertically.

It is better to make the gearbox with a gear, since the force on the axis is large and the pulley can slip. Therefore, the belt drive is double reinforced.

How to make a wood splitter with your own hands, and which design is more practical

It has simple design, so we’ll just give the drawings and look at the design elements:

• The engine must be firmly fixed, since the force on the shaft is serious, especially when the cone is wedged;
• The gearbox is made at the rate of 200-300 rpm;
• The cone gimlet shaft is mounted on powerful bearings;
• It is advisable to install an additional wedge under the gimlet. It will help in splitting and keep the log from turning.

Making a rack wood splitter with your own hands is much more difficult. However, this design allows you to work with more complex and large wooden workpieces. In addition, the quality of cutting logs is higher.

The frame is welded from a channel with a thickness of at least 4 mm. Particular attention should be paid to fastening the wedge-splitting blade. The main force is applied to it, so it makes sense to weld it permanently. To sharpen the cutting plane, you can use a grinder with an emery wheel.

The knife itself is made from the remains of agricultural machinery using the same angle grinder.

The rack and pinion pair was used from a broken steering gear on a decommissioned truck. Several teeth are ground off, so the rack sometimes slips when there is a lot of force. The eccentric lever mechanism is welded from 3 mm steel sheet.

Electric motor from a Soviet-made ventilation system, 2 kW. A set of pulleys, together in a belt, was removed from a rusting combine harvester from the time of virgin soil.

The pusher simply slides along the channel. No lubricant is used as it will immediately become clogged with sawdust.

Return springs can be taken from anything, for example those that were previously used as door closers.

The cost of such a design tends to zero, especially if you use components from old trash or decommissioned equipment.

Video on how to make a screw wood splitter with your own hands

Part one

The process of making the working part of a screw wood splitter from scrap metal with your own hands.
From this video you will learn all the dimensions of the shaft taken from the hydraulic cylinder. Dimensions of auxiliary bushings and flanges, as well as how to save on the manufacture of keyed joints. How to make your own pulley, bearing housing and the main working part - the “carrot”.

Part two

From the second part of this video you will understand how to make a frame for a wood splitter with your own hands, how to secure the working part to the frame. You will learn the manufacturing features and dimensions of the base for the wood splitter, as well as the engine power and the method of transmitting torque.

Winter is coming, which means you need to start thinking about firewood now. Let's leave the option manual labor in the last century and turn our attention towards the hydraulic (and not only!) wood splitter. This device will be an excellent help if you need to chop a dozen cubes of firewood. We will also consider 4 schematic diagrams of homemade wood splitters.

Briefly about the structure of the wood splitter and the principle of its operation

The main elements of a standard hydraulic log splitter are a frame with a knife attached to it, a hydraulic piston and a drive. The knife plays the role of the tip of the very cleaver, which has to be waved due to the lack of equipment considered here. The necessary force is created by the operation of the engine in conjunction with a hydraulic piston, which pushes the workpiece onto the knife. Everything is quite prosaic and looks something like the video below.

The vast majority of factory products operate on this principle. While studying the information, you may probably come across so-called screw (cone, carrot, etc. names) cleavers. They have gained great popularity due to their simple design and the ability to make them yourself. We will talk in detail about the design features of such wood splitters in the last part of the article.

How to choose a hydraulic wood splitter

The main characteristics of modern wood splitters and their description are presented in a small plate below.

Selection criterion	Types and capabilities of devices
Construction type	The most popular devices are hydraulic wood splitters, the force in which is created by a motor and a hydraulic piston, due to which the workpiece is pressed against the knife. A screw splitter (carrot wood splitter) is another common solution due to the fact that you can make it yourself. The drive axis rotates the screw cone, which, when feeding the workpiece, is literally screwed into it and tears the layers of wood. A rack-and-pinion wood splitter is simple to use, but quite dangerous to use. In such a splitter, the workpiece is pushed due to the force transmitted to the rack from the rotating gear. If all of the above options are equipped with a drive, then an inertial or spring wood splitter already requires some use of manual force. With its large arm and spring, it modernizes the approach to traditional tuning.
Drive unit	Devices based on electric motors (220 V/380 V) and gasoline engines are used. The choice is determined solely by convenience and working conditions.
Maximum splitting force	Determines the magnitude of the piston pressure on the workpiece - typical for hydraulic and rack-and-pinion wood splitters. In private use, it is enough to use models with a force of 4 to 6 tons. More powerful models are suitable for working with long logs and on an industrial scale.
Working position	Determines the position of the workpiece axis during operation. There are splitting axes with horizontal, vertical and combined positions. The first option is the most common when used privately and is used in most hydraulic and rack and pinion designs due to convenience and safety.
Log sizes	Length of logs when used hydraulic wood splitters limited by the piston stroke and the maximum splitting force. Typically this value is limited to 0.52 m. The thickness of the workpieces can vary from 0.25 to 0.5 m depending on the model of the splitting splitter. In slatted solutions, the length of the log is determined by the dimensions of the slats and, again, by the force created. The use of screw wood splitters allows the use of larger diameter logs - up to 0.7 m, but this increases the labor intensity of the work.
Options	Height adjustment. This option has a positive effect on ease of use, but at the same time increases the cost of the product; its absence can be compensated homemade stand. Availability of wheels, preferably large ones. Provide convenience during transportation. Safety system, usually of the double-lever type, in which the operator must simultaneously use two hands on the remote control, is an integral part of all modern factory products.

Of course, the speed of its work can also be considered as a parameter when choosing an assistant in the wood splitting business, but it is believed that even the minimum values ​​are more than enough.

TOP 10 solutions for home

General recommendations for choosing a household cleaver include the following requirements: electric hydraulic device with a horizontal workpiece arrangement and a maximum force of up to 5 tons. Pay attention to the safety of the unit; it is advisable that the model be equipped with a locking system with two levers. However, discrepancies with the generally accepted approach are also possible, as evidenced by our selection of the best wood splitters.

1. Champion LSH5000 - from 17,500 rub.

A durable steel frame coated with a special anti-corrosion coating, high engine power and wheels turn the Champion LSH5000 electric wood splitter into a strong, durable and mobile solution for seasonal firewood harvesting. This device is designed for horizontal loading of logs and is one of the most popular for private use. The Champion brand itself is good China, the trademark belongs to the St. Petersburg company Wald.

You can evaluate the operation of this compact device in the following video. Among similar solutions one can also name such models as RedVerg RD-LS 25-37E, PATRIOT CE 5322, etc.

2. AL-KO KHS 5204 - from 19,000 rub.

AL-KO KHS 5204 is another representative of electric wood splitters, with virtually the same characteristics as the previously reviewed product, but made in a slightly different version. The frame is located higher (adjustable in height), which, on the one hand, makes working with the device more convenient, on the other hand, when using large logs, it can affect the balance of the splitter. This model is produced by a famous German company, so you don’t have to worry about its reliability and durability.

We invite you to look at this hydraulic splitter in action using the example of a similar model with index 5200.

3. Texas 520 H - from 20,000 rub.

Another relatively inexpensive, but durable and powerful device for its modest size is the Texas 520 H cleaver from a Danish manufacturer. This is an option for those who are not in a hurry and, above all, value the safety of work. With a low electric motor power, the device produces a force of up to 5 tons, splitting lumps up to half a meter long. According to the owners' reviews, the model lasts for more than 3 years, can be easily modified (installed on a stand), and the protective casing can be removed.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of this unit in the following video.

4. Raptor t700 - from 25,000 rubles.

A 250x80 cone screw made of 45 steel, an AIR 80B2 electric motor, a control unit, a flywheel and a stand - this is a small-scale Raptor t700 screw splitter model. Compared to hydraulic devices, this is a more productive solution, the effectiveness of which is largely determined by the efficiency of the worker. The absence of hydraulics makes the unit simpler and more durable. At the same time, the safety of work and the quality of the splitting are somewhat compromised. The chocks are fed perpendicular to their axis.

You can see what working with a Raptor t700 screw splitter looks like in the video below.

5. AL-KO KHS 3704 - from 19,000 rub.

A powerful compact solution adapted for chopping wood for fireplaces. Those. Despite all the mobility and small size of the AL-KO KHS 3704 electric wood splitter, there are some restrictions on the raw materials used - logs up to 0.37 m long. The design is different high degree stability due to low landing.

To a large extent, the KHS 3704 model is intended for seasonal use and splitting of small volumes of raw materials. If firewood is the main type of fuel for year-round accommodation, then you should look towards other units.

6. PROFI PLS 700E - from 19,500 rub.

The Russian electric cleaver PROFI PLS 700E of Chinese origin is made in a classic compact design: the design is small in height, with a horizontal working position and a pair of wheels for transportation. It is equipped with a special attachment, thanks to which it becomes possible to split into four parts. According to reviews, it is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and significant effort, thanks to which even strong wood species can be split.

Judge for yourself how this electric cleaver works by watching the video below.

7. Texas 600VG - from 55,000 rub.

What distinguishes the Texas 600VG model from all of the above is primarily that it is an autonomous solution that requires only high-quality gasoline, logs and direct hands. This is a powerful installation with a vertical working position from a renowned Danish manufacturer (it is produced, like many other equipment, in China). If there is only one worker, then the vertical design is much more convenient horizontal installation. However, it takes up more space and is heavier.

How is work carried out using a Texas 600VG petrol log splitter? You can find out by watching the short video below.

8. CHAMPION LSV6000 - from 38,000 rub.

Another model with vertical supply of logs is CHAMPION LSV6000, but with power supply from a 220 V network. As in the Texas 600VG device, it is possible to optionally use attachments on the blade for splitting logs into four parts at once. The device is reliable and safe, provides high speed operation and does not require special skills. Just move the unit to a convenient place and within an hour you can admire the impressive result!

9. Gorynych 6T - from 120,000 rubles.

The youngest model in the series hydraulic axes The domestically produced Gorynych is a unit with the 6T index. A special feature of this installation is the fast stroke of the piston, which ensures high productivity. This can be useful on the scale of collecting firewood for sale - under normal conditions it is not advisable to overpay for speed. And in general, the design is designed for almost continuous operation, which makes it indispensable for large volumes. The position of the knife is adjustable, allowing the operator to quickly choose between cutting two or four logs in one pass.

The Gorynych model range is represented by three more quite popular models. All of them are designed for a maximum force of 9 tons, differing only in the mass of the units, the length of the logs being split, the power and type of engine (petrol, 380 or 220 V), respectively, and the price. You can find out what the Gorynych wood splitter is like in action from the following video.

10. MTD LS 550 - from 220,000 rub.

For those who are thinking about purchasing a serious autonomous unit for themselves or harvesting firewood on an industrial scale, the MTD LS 550 wood splitter model is suitable. As you might have guessed from the preamble, this is a fairly large unit with a gasoline engine. Moreover, it is the most powerful in our review - capable of developing a force of up to 25 tons. Among the design features, it is necessary to mention two possible working positions: vertical and horizontal. This is actually a convenient solution that allows you to vary the operation of the unit depending on the conditions. The frame is mounted on an axle with two large wheels, the wood splitter is adapted for transportation by car.

You can learn about the operating features of the MTD LS 550 from a small English-language video.

Editor's Choice

All presented units are good, but the editors chose two models: and. The first wood splitter is good for its compact size, the ability to adjust the position of the working plane, and sufficient power, which is enough for the annual preparation of fuel. The second model is more universal, it will allow you to chop firewood not only for yourself, but also for your neighbors - it opens up opportunities for earning money. Plus, don’t forget about renting out the device. Thus, in just one season you can recoup the cost of the equipment.

About homemade products

When familiarizing yourself with factory products, some might have a completely logical thought: “Why not save money and do something similar yourself?” In the presence of the right hands and with a clear head, everything is possible. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most interesting schemes wood splitters that you can actually make with your own hands.

It is an evolutionary step in the development of classic cleavers. Usage spring log splitter requires the use of muscular force, but to a lesser extent - thanks to the spring mechanism, large arm and additional load. In the diagram it looks like this.

The design of such a homemade product includes a metal pipe or profile (this will be our shoulder, increasing the gain in strength, with a blade at the end), a metal support and a hinge connection between them. Return mechanism spring type, you can use the old shock absorber. The video below shows an example of working with such a mechanism.

"Carrot"

A mechanism with such a simple name also does not require the use of high-tech parts. To manufacture it, you need a drive, a simple gearbox with a belt drive, a pair of bearings, a shaft, a threaded cone and a table-frame. A drive with a power of more than 2 kW, at least from an old washing machine, is not a problem to find. Paradoxically, the most complex part of the system is the cone. You need to either buy it ready-made or order it from an experienced milling machine friend. The diagram of a screw splitter is shown in the figure below.

The splitting of the chocks is carried out by screwing in the cone, due to which the wood fibers are literally torn. The main thing is not to make money feeding logs - this is a rather unsafe design, and a carrot can just as easily screw on the sleeve of your clothes. How it works is in the next video.

Rack design

For all its effectiveness, a rack-and-pinion wood splitter is a controversial decision. And first of all, this concerns safety. It is necessary to carefully calculate the rotation speed of the gear, the force from which is transmitted to the rack. As a rule, splitting with such a wood splitter is carried out very quickly. By pressing the rack against the gear by pressing the handle, the operator sets it in motion. By releasing the handle, the contact with the gear is reduced due to the spring, the return mechanism is activated and the rack returns to its original position. The rail must be placed on a carriage that will move along the frame. Actually, it is necessary to fix the pusher plate on it. Schematically it looks like this.

It turns out that maximum attention should be paid to the frame, i.e. its stability, as well as the quality of the slats - it will not be possible to turn one without special skills. For the rest, at least some experience in welding and the use of electric drives will help. The end result may look like this craftsman in the video.

Hydraulic cleaver

In our opinion, this is the most technically complex solution, but it is also the safest. Armed with Pascal's law, a hydraulic cylinder, a drive, a pump and an oil tank, with the help of an experienced hydraulic engineer you can create a system that develops a force of 5 tons and above. Schematically, the structure of such a product looks like this.

The man in the video did it, maybe you can do it too?

Instead of a conclusion

If you do not have the necessary materials and parts to build a wood splitter, then think several times whether it is worth purchasing them and spending your precious time “reinventing the wheel.” After all, for a fairly adequate amount you can immediately purchase a finished factory product, safe and with a guarantee!